System and method for joining boney structures

Abstract

Disclosed are system and methods that use at least one non-threaded anchor and an implant with at least one aperture to join boney structures, where the interaction of the head of the anchor with the implant aperture causes the anchor to move transversely with respect to an initial trajectory. This movement causes compression or distraction of the boney structures which are coupled to the anchors.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for joining a first boney structure to a second boney structure, the method comprising: positioning an implant between the first boney structure and to the second boney structure; introducing a first non-threaded anchor into a first non-threaded aperture defined in the implant, the first anchor including a first non-threaded proximal head and a first non-threaded elongated body; introducing a second anchor into the second aperture defined in the implant, the second anchor including a second proximal head and a second elongated body, applying a non-torsional force onto a proximal end of the first head to drive the first elongated body, through the first aperture, and into the first boney structure along a first trajectory; applying a non-torsional force onto a proximal end of the second head to drive the second elongated body through the second aperture, and into the second boney structure along a second trajectory; continuing to apply the non-torsional force onto the proximal end of the first head as the first head reaches the first aperture and causing the first head to interact with the first aperture such that the first head moves transversely with respect to the first trajectory which causes the first boney structure to also move transversely with respect to the first trajectory, wherein the causing the first head to interact with the first aperture comprises applying a force to an offset portion of the first head with a first force applying surface of the first aperture to move the head transversely with respect to the first trajectory; and continuing to apply the non-torsional force onto the proximal end of the second head as the second head reaches the second aperture and causing the second head to interact with the second aperture such that the second head moves transversely with respect to the second trajectory which causes the second boney structure to also move transversely with respect to the second trajectory. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transverse movement of the first elongated body relative to the first trajectory and the transverse movement of the second elongated body relative to the second trajectory causes compression between the first boney structure and the second boney structure. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transverse movement of the first elongated body relative to the first trajectory and the transverse movement of the second elongated body relative to the second trajectory causes distraction of the first boney structure relative to the second boney structure. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 introducing a third non-threaded anchor into a third non-threaded aperture defined in the implant, the third anchor including a third non-threaded proximal head and a third non-threaded elongated body; 
 applying a smooth non-torsional force onto a proximal end of the third head to drive the third elongated body, through the third aperture, and into the second boney structure along a third trajectory; and 
 continuing to apply the smooth non-torsional force onto the proximal end of the third head as the third head reaches the third aperture and causing the third head to interact with the third aperture such that the third head moves transversely with respect to the third trajectory which causes the second boney structure to also move transversely with respect to the third trajectory.